Emotional life Quote by Thomas Lewis
““Knowing someone is the first goal of therapy. Modulating emotionality - whether by relatedness or psychopharmacology or both - is second. Therapy's last and most ambitious aim is revising the neural code that directs an emotional life. (176)””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Handbook of Psychotherapy, 1995
Therapy first aims to understand the person, then to regulate emotions, and finally to reshape the brain’s emotional patterns.
In simple terms: Therapy moves from understanding to emotional regulation to deep change.
Key Takeaway
Seek insight, then regulate, then transform.
Themes
psychotherapy
emotional health
neuroscience
Mood
analytical
hopeful
Type
clinical
educational
When to use this quote
- clinical practice
- personal healing
- emotional regulation
Key Concepts
cognitive restructuring
mind‑body integration
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotional patterns need reshaping?
- How can regulation support insight?
A Different Perspective
Changing neural patterns is slow and may resist therapy.
